Is it all over for Wilder?

Updated: Oct 19, 2021 9:00 am

Deontay Wilder has been handed a 6-month suspension following his devastating knockout defeat to Tyson Fury.

The American was knocked out in the 11th round by the Englishman. Wilder was sent crashing to the canvas three times during the fight to Fury. It had been a thrilling contest that will go down as one of the best heavyweight fights of the century after they produced five knockdowns at the T-Mobile Arena.

However, since the fight Wilder now faces a long spell out of the ring should he decide to carry on. There’s been speculation regarding the former heavyweight champion’s long-term future after 2 heavy defeats to Fury. The earliest point the American would be able to get back in the ring will be April 2022. This is a standard mandate by the Nevada state commission if a fighter suffers a knockdown.

As reported by SunSport Wilder was taken to hospital straight after the bout for scans and check up on his head and hands. It’s been revealed that the American suffered a broken hand during the fight and is due to have surgery. This puts further question marks on whether he will choose to carry on boxing as his trainer Malik Scott revealed Wilder has been able to secure his family’s future following the mega fights with Fury.

Also, reports suggest Fury has been given a 45-day suspension after the thrilling trilogy of fights that have happened over the past 3 years.

Who are the future opponents?

For Wilder, this defeat leaves him at a career crossroads. His next potential opponent could be Anthony Joshua a fight that both men wanted before Fury and Wilder 1. Yet both fighters would be coming back from defeats having lost their belts to Fury and Usyk.

Andy Ruiz JR could be another potential opponent who since losing his titles to a rematch with Joshua in Saudi Arabia in 2019. Ruiz JR has only fought just once since then. A fight with Wilder has the potential appeal for a fight of the year with the mix of styles suiting both men. It’s fair to say you shouldn’t expect it to last 12 rounds with both guys showing their vulnerabilities over their last 2 fights. Ruiz also had his professionalism questioned after the Joshua rematch when he came into the fight overweight and not in a good fighting condition to defend his belts.

Following the defeat, he decided to change coaches and now works with Eddie Renoso who is Saul Canelo Alvarez’s trainer. Being in camp with the pound to pound great is likely to have a positive influence. The growing stable of fighters also includes one of the most exciting prospects in Ryan Garcia.

Another, epic contest that would excite the fans would be a fight against Dillian Whyte. Whyte has shown his dislike for Wilder after the American refused to fight him even though he had been the mandatory challenger for over 1,000 days.

Before Fury Wilder 3 the WBC confirmed the winner would have 30 days to finalize a fight with interim champion Whyte. Whyte now faces Otto Wallin in a must-win fight at the O2 Arena on October 30th to guarantee a fight with WBC champion Fury.

Lastly former Olympic champion Joe Joyce could pose to be another challenger. Having proved to be a force within the division Joyce hasn’t had a breakthrough fight against one of the elite guys. The 36 years hasn’t got long left in the sport thus is chasing the big fights having recently been rumoured to be Usyk next opponent before the Ukrainian fought Joshua as the mandatory for the IBO title.

However, whilst it will be challenging the American can gain confidence from his last performance after making some adjustments that enabled him to cause Fury a few issues in the early stages of the fight. The American has been criticised for always relying on knocking out opponents over the fundamentals of boxing of using the jab to control fights. Against Fury, he changed his trainer to Malik Scott who got the American to move his head more often and jabbing into Fury’s mid-rift in the early rounds.

Another concern going forward for Wilder will be his cardiovascular fitness. He was seemingly fatigued in the very early rounds of the bout with much of that put down to coming in at his heaviest in his career.

WBC middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez suggested ‘’I think Wilder needs more condition, more moves’’.

“It’s difficult when you don’t have the condition and don’t know how to move, that’s why Fury beat him”

Some would say Wilder also gained more fans from the last defeat due to the heart he showed throughout the fight and attempting to get up each time he was knocked down. Trainer Malik Scott also confirmed that “he’s already talking about the get back, the dude is a real warrior”.

Former fighters and coaches alike have come forward in praising the American for showing true fighting spirit. Since the defeat, the former champion released a message to his fans.

”I’ve learned that sometimes you have to lose to win”.

”Hopefully, I have proved that I am a true warrior and a true king in this sport”.

He went on to congratulate Tyson Fury for his victory after receiving criticism for un-sportman like behavior by refusing to acknowledge Fury in the post-fight interviews.

”Last but not least I would like to congratulate @gypsyking101 for his victory and thank him for the great historical memories that will last forever”.